On 26 October 1997 Italy joined the Schengen system at
the end of a gradual process of adjusting to the common
visa regime provided by the Convention Implementing the
Schengen Agreement.
While strengthening the common external border, there was
a parallel and gradual removal of internal border
controls, giving total freedom of movement within all the
territories of the Schengen agreement signatory states:
the establishment of what has become known as the
Schengen Area.

1.2. Relevant legislation

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which has the
statutory powers over the admission of aliens, issued the
"Inter-Departmental Decree on visas on 12 July 2000,
pursuant to section 5(c)(3) of Presidential Decree
394/1999 (published in the Official Gazette No 178 of
1.8.2000), completing the national corpus of legislative
sources governing this subject matter, comprising:

Law 189 of 30 July 2002, enacting "Amendments to
immigration and asylum law"

Regulation (EC) 539/2001 listing the third
countries whose nationals must be in possession of
visas when crossing the external borders.Council
Regulation (EC) 1091/2001 of 28 May 2001 on freedom of
movement with a long-stay visa.

The "Schengen
Area" comprises the national
territories of the countries that already apply the
Convention: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France,
Germany, Greece, Italy, Luxembourg, The Netherlands,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Iceland and Norway.
The external
border is the perimeter of the
Schengen area which aliens may enter using the border
crossing points: and means the Schengen Area Parties'
land and sea borders and their airports and sea ports,
provided that they are not internal borders.
Internal
borders are the common land borders
of the Schengen Area Parties, their airports for internal
flights and their sea ports for regular - passenger -
connections exclusively from or to other ports within the
territories of the Schengen Area Parties.
Non-aliens are nationals of
all the countries of the European Union and the European
Economic Area: Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland,
France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy,
Lichtenstein, Luxembourg, The Netherlands, Norway,
Portugal, Spain, Sweden, and United Kingdom.
Aliens are nationals of any
other State.

1.3. Entry of aliens into Italy

Admission to Italian territory through the external
borders of the Schengen Area is only permitted to aliens
who:
a. seek entry through a border crossing point;
b. are in possession of a valid passport or equivalent
recognised travel document permitting them to cross the
border;
c. are in possession of documents substantiating the
purpose and the conditions of the planned visit and have
sufficient means of support, both for the period of the
planned visit and to return to their country of origin
(or to travel in transit to a Third State). An alien who
already holds a residence permit issued by one of the
Contracting Parties is exempted from this
requirement.
d. are in possession of a valid entry or transit visa, if
required;
e. have not been prohibited to enter through an alert in
the Schengen Information System;
f. are not considered to be a threat to public policy,
national security or the international relations of any
of the Contracting Parties, under Italian law or the law
of another Schengen State.

If any one of the aforementioned conditions are not met,
the alien may be denied entry by the border authorities
even if in possession of a valid entry or transit visa.

1.4. Passports and equivalent travel
documents

To enter, stay in or transit through the whole of the
Schengen area, aliens must be in possession of a passport
or another travel document recognized as valid for the
purposes of crossing the borders by all the Schengen
States.
To enter, stay in or transit through Italy, aliens must
be in possession of a passport or another travel document
recognised as valid by the Italian government.
Travel documents shall be considered valid if, "in
addition to meeting the conditions provided I articles 13
and 14 of the Convention implementing the Schengen
Agreement, they duly certified the identity of the holder
and the holder's nationality or citizenship".
In the event that a visa is required, article 13 of the
Convention provides that:

No visa shall be apposed on a travel document that
has expired.

The period of validity of a travel document must be
greater than that of the visa. The expiry date of the
validity must be more than three months from the date
of the visa.

A foreign national holding a travel document which
is not recognised by Italy may be issued with a
laissez-passer by an Italian diplomatic mission or
consulate which is only valid for Italy, and will not
permit transit through the territory of the other
Schengen States.

The following travel documents are considered valid to
cross the borders and for the issue of a visa:

Passport. This is the internationally recognized
document entitling the holder to travel from one
country to another. It may be:

diplomatic passport, a service (or official or
special or public affairs) passport, or an ordinary
passport;

a personal (which may also include the spouse
and/or children) or a group passport (for groups of not
less than five and not more than 50 people, all having
the same nationality, and all travelling together and
for the same purpose, normally as tourists, all
entering, staying in and leaving together the Schengen
Area; each member of the group must also hold a
personal identity document, complete with
photograph).

a travel document for stateless
persons, governed by the "Convention Relating
to the Status of Stateless Persons" signed in New York
on 28.9.1954. Stateless persons must obtain a visa for
Italy unless they already hold a residence permit to
stay in one of the Schengen countries;

a travel document for refugees,
governed by the "Convention Relating to the Status of
Refugees", signed in Geneva on 28.7.1951. Refugees must
obtain a visa unless they already hold a residence
permit to stay in one of the Schengen countries or a
travel document issued by one of the signatory States
of the Strasbourg Agreement of 20.4.1959);

a travel document for aliens who
are prevented from obtaining a valid travel document
from the authorities of the country of which they are
nationals: these documents are subject to the same visa
requirements which apply to nationals of their home
country;

the Seafarer's identity document
issued to seafarers to exercise their profession. It is
recognised as a valid travel document to enter the
Schengen Area only in relation to the Seafarer's
professional requirements, and not for any other
reason. Italy recognises the Seafarer's identity
documents issued by EU countries and the EEA countries
signatories to the International Labour Convention No
108 (Geneva, 13.5.1958) and by those with which Italy
has concluded specific bilateral agreements;

the general Declaration, issued to
pilots and crew of Civil Aviation companies for flight
duty, in conformity with the "Convention on Civil
Aviation" signed in Montreal on 7.12.1944. This
document is exempt from visa requirements in the
signatory countries of the Chicago Convention of
25.3.1949 or under reciprocity agreements, provided
that the entry is work-related;

a United Nations laissez-passer,
issued by the United Nations Secretariat to United
Nations personnel and that of its related agencies, in
conformity with the "Convention on the Privileges and
Immunities of the Specialized Agencies" adopted by the
UN General Assembly in New York on 21.11.1947. This
document is subject to the visa provisions in force in
the country of which the person in question is a
citizen;

an individual or collective movement order
issued by NATO Headquarters to the military or civilian
personnel and their dependents (spouse and
children) who are posted to serve in a NATO member
country, in conformity with the "Agreement between the
Parties to the North Atlantic Treaty" signed in London
on 19.6.51 and ratified by Italy with Law no. 1335 of
30.11.1955. The members of a NATO force (but not the
accompanying civilians, or dependent family members)
are exempt from the visa requirement;

an identity card in the case of nationals
of EU member stateswhich is valid for foreign
travel for work purposes. It is exempt from the visa
requirement;

an identity card (and other
documents) identifying citizens of the signatory States
of the "European Agreement on the Abolition of
Passports" (signed in Paris on 13.12.1957), valid for
the purposes of tourism in any one of the States for a
period of not more than three months. It is exempt from
the visa requirement;

a list of participants in school trips
within the EU, issued to students from third
countries resident in an EU state in conformity with
the "Joint Action" of the Council adopted by the
European Union on 30.11.1994. This document is exempt
from visa requirements.

a pass, replacing a passport and
used, issued to a person who does not hold a regular
travel document authorising the holder to travel in all
the Schengen States, or only within Italy. This
document is subject to the visa provisions in force in
the country of which the person in question is a
citizen;

clearance papers or border permits
granted to citizens resident in border areas, for
transit across the border itself and circulation in the
corresponding areas of neighbouring States. This
document is exempt from visa requirements.

An alien wishing to enter Italian territory or the
Schengen Area must have sufficient financial resources
available to guarantee maintenance throughout the planned
visit. The availability of means of subsistence is
therefore an essential condition for the entry of an
alien into the Schengen Area (Common Consular
Instruction).

On 1.3.2000 the Ministry of Home Affairs, (pursuant to
section 4(c)(3) of the Consolidated Act no. 286 pf 25
July 1998), issued an Order, "Directive defining means of
subsistence for the admission and stay of aliens within
Italian territory" (published in the Official Gazzette No
64 on 17.3.2000).
This Order requires foreign nationals to demonstrate that
they possess means of subsistence by showing liquid cash,
bank guarantees, insurance policy guarantees or
equivalent credit instruments, vouchers for prepaid
services or other documents demonstrating access to
sources of income in Italy.
Except where otherwise provided by the instruments
mentioned above, the alien must indicate the existence of
appropriate accommodation within Italy and the
availability of funds for repatriation, which may also
take the form of a prepaid return travel ticket.
The need to provide evidence of means of subsistence in
the amount required is not only a fundamental condition
for the issue of certain types of visas, but is also
required at the moment the alien enters Italian
territory.
No visas can be issued in the event of failure to produce
evidence of means of subsistence or, in the event that
such evidence cannot be produced to the Border Police,
the alien will be formally turned away from the
border.

Table for establishing the means of
subsistence required for admission to
Italy.

(for business, medical treatment -
and an accompanying person in this case - sports
competition, or for religious reasons, for transit,
transport or tourism)

A visa, which comprises a special "stamp" (or
"sticker") affixed to the applicant's passport or other
valid travel document, is an authorisation granted to an
alien to enter the territory of the Italian Republic or
that of the other Contracting Parties for transit or
visit purposes. It is issued on the basis of criteria
related to the preservation of good international
relations and to the protection of national security and
public order.

As a rule, aliens do not have a "right" to be granted
a visa, but at most a "legitimate interest". The
aforementioned Consolidated Act, Law 286/1998, introduced
the principle that "written reasons shall be issued when
an application for an entry or re-entry visa is rejected,
and served on the applicant together with instructions
for appealing against the decision, and with a
translation in the language which the applicant
understands, or otherwise in English, French, Spanish or
Arabic" (section 4(c)(2)).

Authority to issue visas for entry to the Italian
Republic is vested in the Italian Ministry of Foreign
Affairs and its network of accredited diplomatic and
consular officers, which are responsible for ascertaining
that applicants are in possession of the requisites
entitling them to obtain a visa, which is issued by the
diplomatic or consular mission with territorial
jurisdiction over the place of residence of the alien
applicant.
Where it is not possible to identify the main
destination, when there are several stages in the
journey, the visa shall be issued by the diplomatic
mission of the Schengen State of entry.
The authority for the issue of the Uniform Schengen Visa
(long stay) is the diplomatic mission of the Schengen
State present locally which is intended to be the sole or
main destination.
The authority for the issue of a National Visa (long
stay) is the diplomatic mission of the Schengen State
present locally which is intended to be the long-stay
destination.

If the Contracting Party competent to grant the visa
does not have a Mission in the alien's country of
residence the Uniform Schengen Visa can be issued by the
Mission of another Contracting Party on its behalf.

The possession of a visa does not give an alien automatic
right of entry to Italy, because the border authorities
may always refuse entry to an alien who is not in
possession of adequate means of subsistence or is unable
to provide full details regarding the circumstances of
the stay in Italy, or for reasons of security or public
policy.
N.B.: No visas (and no extension to previously issued
visas) may be granted to aliens who are already on
Italian territory.

Only in exceptional and urgent cases may the border
authorities issue a transit or short stay visa.
"Border permits" are issued on entry to Italy by the
border authorities on the basis of an internationally
accepted procedure to enable aliens for whom a visas is
required, and are not in possession of one, and to stay
overnight or a short stay in areas adjacent to certain
airports ("city visit permit" for a maximum of 48 hours)
or to visit, during the day time only, the urban areas in
the vicinity of ports, including places of major tourist
interest ("permit for sailors and cruise
passengers").

Under the Convention, visas issued by our diplomatic
missions and consulates permit access to Italy and to the
other Schengen States for the purposes of transit or
short visits (up to 90 days) and in this case are known
as "Schengen Visas" (USV).
Similarly, a USV issued by diplomatic missions and
consulates of other Schengen States permit access to
Italy.
The long stay entry visa (more than 90 days) only gives
access to the state that issues the visa, and the
possibility of transit through other Schengen countries
to enter that country, in which case it is known as are
"National Visa" (NV).

2.2. Stay

All aliens who enter Italy legally, including those
who are not required to hold a visa, must comply with the
rules governing the stay of aliens in Italy, and are
required to report their presence on Italian territory to
the local Central Police Station ('Questura') of the
province in which they are staying within 8 working days
from the date of entry, and apply for a residence permit
('permesso di soggiorno') pursuant to article 5 of Law
286/1998. Aliens requesting this residence permit are
required to be fingerprinted.

It is this residence permit ('permesso di soggiorno')
alone, which is issued for the reason and for the period
indicated on the visa, which authorises an alien to stay
in Italy.

Under Schengen rules, the residence permit issued by
the Questura police authorities (or the diplomatic or
service identity card issued by the Ministry of Foreign
Affairs) to holders of a long-stay visa, permits aliens,
unless express limitations are imposed, to enter and
leave the Schengen area and travel freely for a period of
not more than 90 days in any 6-month period within
territories of the other Contracting States, provided
that they hold a currently valid national passport or
equivalent travel document. Nevertheless, all aliens are
required to report their presence to the police
authorities in the territory of any other Schengen states
within 3 working days of entry

2.3. List of countries whose citizens are
subject to the visa obligation

In view of the need to gradually harmonize the
different national visa policies, the European
authorities have adopted various measures including the
Council Regulation 539 of 15.3.2001 containing the list
of countries whose nationals are subject to the visa
requirement.

Nationals of the following countries do not require a
visa for visits up to a maximum of 90 days, for tourism,
on missions, business, invitations ought to take part in
sports events:
Andorra, Argentina, Australia, Bolivia, Brazil, Brunei,
Bulgaria, Canada, Chile, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus*,
Czech Republic*, El Salvador, Estonia*, Guatemala,
Honduras, Hungary*, Israel, Japan, Latvia*, Lithuania*,
Malaysia, Malta*, Mexico, Monaco, New Zealand, Nicaragua,
Panama, Paraguay, Poland*, Romania, Slovakia*, Slovenia*,
South Korea, Singapore, United States, Uruguay,
Venezuela. (*) beginning on 1 May 2004, the date on which
it joins the EU, the citizens of the country will be
exempt from any visa obligation.
Nationals of San Marino, the Holy See and Switzerland do
not require a visas in any case.
The citizens of the following countries are subject to
visa obligation for transit through Italy::
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Democratic Republic of the
Congo, Eritrea*, Ethiopia, Ghana, Iran, Iraq, Nigeria,
Pakistan, Senegal**, Somalia and Sri Lanka.

(*) exempt from obligation if the passenger holds a
valid visa or residence permit from one of the EU Member
States or one of the Parties to the European Economic
Area Agreement of 2 May 1992, from Canada, Switzerland or
the United States.

(**) exempt from obligation if the passenger holds a
valid visa or residence permit from one of the Member
States of the European Economic Area, Canada, or the
United States of America.

For long stays (above 90 days) for whatever purpose all
aliens are required to hold a visa, even if they are
nationals of countries which do not require transit or
short-stay visas.

2.4. Visa types and validity

Visas may be individual - issued to an individual
applicant and apposed to an individual passport - or
group visas - issued to a group of aliens, all having the
same nationality of the passport-issuing country, and
provided that the document is expressly and formally
recognised by Italy.
Group visas cannot exceed 30 days.

1. Uniform Schengen Visas
(USV): valid for all the Contracting Parties'
territories; they may be

airport transit visas (type A),

transit visas (type B),

short-stay or travel visas (type C), valid for up
to 90 days, for single or multiple entry.

Exceptionally, the Schengen regulation enables
important or well-known persons who frequently require a
visa and who can provide the necessary guarantees, to be
issued with C-type visas which permit a visit of up to 90
days in any half-year and are valid for one (C1), two
(C2), three (C3) or five years (C5).

2. 2. Limited Territorial Validity visas (LTV):
these are only valid for the Schengen State whose
representative issued the visa (or in particular cases
for other Schengen states where specifically named)
without any possibility of access to or transit through
the territory of any other Schengen States. They are
issued solely for humanitarian reasons, or in the
national interest, or under international obligations as
an exception to the common USV system. An alien may not
directly apply for these visas, which are issued in a few
specific cases by the diplomatic or consular
representative when it deems it appropriate to issue the
visa for the reasons as stated even though not all the
conditions are met for the issue of a Uniform Schengen
Visa, or when the applicant does not hold a validly
recognised travel document, in particular emergencies or
in case of need.

3. Long stay or "national" (NV) to Visas, which are
only valid for visits that are longer than 90 days (type
D), with one or more entries, in the territory of the
Schengen State whose diplomatic representative issued the
visa, and to transit through the territory of other
Schengen States for a period of not more than five
days.

4. Long
stay or "national" visas which also have the value of
short-term visas.

Visa applications must be in writing, giving all the
details required on the special visa application form
which must be signed by the applicant, and accompanied by
one passport-size photograph. As a rule, aliens applying
for visas must visit the diplomatic or consular offices
in person to be interviewed on the reasons and
circumstances of the visit. Applications must be
accompanied by a valid travel document on which it is
materially possible to appose the visa, together with any
supporting documents that may be required. This
documentation, depending on the type of visa requested or
which the Mission deems it can issue, must necessarily
state:

the purpose of the visit

means of transport and for the return journey

means of support during the journey and stay

accommodation arrangements.

Once the visa application is accepted on the basis
of the documentation produced by the applicant and the
results of the interview, which is normally conducted
directly and personally, the Diplomatic Mission carries
out the statutory preliminary security checks. This
involves line accessing the SIS (Schengen Information
System) through the "world visa network", to consult the
list of aliens to be refused admission into the Schengen
area.

The deadlines for issuing an entry visa are set out in
section 5 (8) of Presidential Decree 394 of 31.8.1999,
which states that the diplomatic/consular mission, "after
ascertaining that the application can be entertained, and
after conducting the necessary investigations in relation
to the visa, including the preventive security checks,
shall issue the visa within 90 days of the date of
application" (30 days for paid employment, 120 days for
self-employment).

Pursuant to article 6(2) and (3) of Ministerial Decree
171 of 3 March 1997, these deadlines may be exceeded
whenever it is necessary to carry out investigations or
acquire information, documents and opinions from foreign
authorities.

Any cases of forged documents produced by foreign
nationals for the purposes of obtaining an entry visa
shall always been reported to the Italian judicial
authorities by the diplomatic or consular mission
(article 331 of the code of criminal procedure). This
applies both to the forgery of Italian documents and
documents of foreign origin that are in any way used in
support of a visa application.

In the event that the diplomatic/consular authorities
are acquainted with any fact, situation or condition that
would have prevented the grant of an entry visa that has
already in granted, they must issue a formal REVOCATION
measure.

permits entry for an alien to spend a long stay for
an indefinite period with adoptive parents, when an
adoption authorisation has been issued by the alien's
national authorities;

personal authorisation issued by the Commission for
International Adoptions (Law 476 of 31.12.1998)

Business (Schengen)

permits entry to an alien wishing to enter the
Schengen Area on business, to make contacts or conduct
negotiations, to learn or ascertain the use and
operation of capital goods purchased or sold under
industrial cooperation or commercial contracts;

documentation attesting to the business status of
the applicant;

documentation attesting to the specific business
purposes of the visit; documentation of the inviting
company; means of subsistence; travel ticket;
availability of accommodation.

Medical treatment (Schengen /
National)

permits entry for a short of long stay, but always
for a definite period, to an alien requiring medical
treatment at public or licensed private Italian health
care facilities. It may also be issued to an
accompanying person assisting the sick alien, provided
that such person has adequate means of
subsistence;

declaration from the chosen medical facility,
stating the type of treatment, the starting date, the
length of treatment and the likely cost; a certificate
from the medical facility confirming that at least 40%
of the total treatment cost has been paid in advance;
sufficient resources to pay the balance of the
treatment costs; a travel ticket. Authorisation from
the Ministry of Health, or a specific Regional
Government Resolution, in the case of treatment to be
received within the framework of Authorised
Humanitarian Action Programmes.

issued to an alien holding a diplomatic or service
passport to serve at their country's
diplomatic/consular missions in Italy or to the Holy
See, for the purposes of accreditation or notification.
It is also issued to close family members;

an official request submitted with a Note Verbale
by the alien's Ministry of Foreign Affairs or
Diplomatic/Consular Mission having competence.

Accompanying family members
(National)

permits entry by an alien intending to accompany to
Italy a relative who is an Italian national, or a
national of a European Union country, or of a country
signatory to the Agreement on the European Economic
Area, or a relative who, while being an alien, holds a
visa for paid employment, self-employment, study or
religious purposes for a period of not less than one
year, for the purposes of a long stay, according to the
conditions set forth in Sections 28 and 29 of the
Consolidated Act, Law 286/1998;

the alien may request a visa for family members as
indicated in Section 29 of Law 286/1998 by exhibiting
the "Nulla Osta per Familiare al Seguito" (Clearance
for the Entry of an Accompanying Family Member) issued
by the "Questura" (central police station) having
jurisdiction over the territory. This "Nulla Osta" is
not required from the "Questura" for the purposes of
granting entry to a non-Italian relative of an Italian
national (EU or EEA). The "Questura" is responsible for
ascertaining that the person concerned qualifies for
entry, by issuing a declaration to this effect.

Sports visa (Schengen)

permits entry for a short term stay to aliens who
are intending to take part in sports events.

the Italian Olympic Committee or the Sports
Federation concerned shall submit the application in
the case of recognised sports; in all other cases, the
applicant must meet all the requisite conditions for
the issue of a tourist visa.

Invitation (Schengen)

permits an alien to enter the Schengen Area for a
short-term stay. The invitation is issued by public or
private, but well-known, organisations, institutions or
agencies, for the purpose of attending specific or
important political, scientific or cultural events,
with the accommodation expenses paid by the inviting
entity. An alien may also be issued with it by the
Italian Judicial Authorities if they wish to summon the
person concerned;

a formal invitation from the inviting Institution,
undertaking responsibility for the alien's
accommodation expenses; a travel ticket; and the writ
of summons issued by the Italian Judicial
Authority

permits entry for a short-term or long-term stay to
an alien aged fifteen years and above, provided that
they have completed their compulsory school education,
and wish to practise a trade or profession as a
self-employed person;

the statement issued by the administration
concerned attesting that "there are no reasons to
oppose the issue of authorisation or challenge the
qualifications" of the applicant; attestation regarding
the references issued by the Chamber of Commerce or the
professional or trade association as relevant; contract
and certificate of registration in the company's
registry; declaration of liability issued by the
competent Labour Inspectorate; statement by the
principal, guaranteeing that the person will be paid
above the minimum level provided for exemption from
paying part of health care costs; a copy of the last
balance sheet deposited with the Companies Register;
evidence of available appropriate accommodation; "Nulla
Osta" (Clearance) from the competent "Questura".

Statement issued personally to the alien concerned
signifying consent by the National Olympics Committee
(in the event of a self-employed athlete). A copy of
the contract, with the notarised signature of the
manager; a statement of liability; a certificate of
professional qualification; the provisional "Nulla
Osta" (Clearance) from the competent "Questura";
appropriate accommodation (for self-employed
performers).

Salaried/paid employment (Schengen /
National)

permits an alien over the age of 15 years who has
completed the minimum compulsory schooling period, to
enter for a short or long stay, to take up paid
employment

autorisation for the alien to take up employment,
dated within the previous six months, issued by the
competent Direzione Provinciale del Lavoro - Servizio
Politiche del Lavoro, complete with the "Nulla Osta"
from the local "Questura". Specific personal permission
issued by the National Olympic Committee (in the case
of a salaried athlete). Authorisation to work, dated
within the previous six months, issued by the Direzione
Generale per l'Impiego, Segreteria Collocamento
Spettacolo (employed performers); documentation
attesting the position or post held by the alien;
official request for entry visa

Mission (Schengen / National)

permits the alien to enter Italy for a short term
or long term stay, to occupy a government post, namely
as a national civil servant, employee with a public
corporation or agency, or an international civil
servant, sent to Italy to perform a political,
governmental or public function, or a private citizen
who, because of the importance of the work performed
and the purpose of the stay, may be considered to be of
public utility in terms of relations between their own
State and Italy. A similar visa may be issued to close
family members living with the visa holder.

permits alien clergymen who are already ordained
priests or the equivalent belonging to the
denominations included in the list drawn up by the
Ministry of Home Affairs, to enter for a short term or
long term stay to perform their religious or pastoral
work

documentation attesting to their clerical status;
documented guarantees regarding the religious character
of the event or the activities mentioned as the grounds
for requesting a visa; travel ticket; means of
subsistence or, in the event that these are guaranteed
by a religious entity, an appropriate statement to this
effect issued by that entity

Re-entry (National)

granted only to aliens who are legally resident in
Italy and are momentarily and for contingent reasons
without a stay permit (due to theft, loss, etc.) and
wish to re-enter Italy, or aliens whose stay permit has
expired (but not by more than 60 days);

loss or theft report submitted to the local police
authorities; declaration by the alien confirming the
right to continue a long stay in Italy

Residence of choice (National)

permits foreign nationals wishing to settle in
Italy, and who are able to maintain themselves
independently without working

documentation regarding the availability of a home
to be chosen for residential purposes; access to
independent financial means which can reasonably
support continued residence in the future (large
income, pensions, allowances, ownership of real
estate)

Family reunion (National)

permits entry into Italy to an alien for the
purposes of a long term stay to live with a relative
who is an Italian national - or a national of a
European Union country, or a country signatory to the
Agreement on the European Economic Area - or with a
foreign national who has a visa for paid employment in
Italy, or for self-employment, study, or residence for
religious reasons, of not less than one year, on the
conditions provide by Sections 28 and 29 of Law
286/1998

the foreign national may request a visa for
relatives as indicated in Section 29 of Law 286/1998,
by exhibiting the "Nulla Osta al Riconguiungimento
Familiare" (Family Reunion Clearance Certificate)
issued by the local "Questura" police station. A "Nulla
Osta" is not required for a foreign national who is a
relative of an Italian citizen (or an EU or EEA
national): possession of the eligibility requirements
must be certified in this latter case by an
affidavit

permits an alien intending to attend university or
vocational training courses or study courses at
recognised Institutes in Italy to enter Italy for a
short term or long term stay

they must aged 14 years and over; documented
guarantees must be supplied relating to the course of
study; access to the statutory means of subsistence; an
insurance policy to cover health care treatment. For
any study which requires the exercise of medical
activities, it is necessary for the Ministry of Health
to issue a certificate beforehand attesting to the
person's qualifications to practise

Airport transit visa (Schengen)

this is only granted to nationals of countries
given in Annex 3 of the CCI, and permits a foreign
national to gain access to the international area for
transiting passengers in an airport during stopovers on
an international flights or flights, without entering
the territory of the contracting party issuing the
visa;

a valid passport or equivalent travel document,
bearing, where necessary, the entry visa for the
country of final destination; an air ticket or seat
reservation

Transit (Schengen)

permits the alien to transit through the territory
in the Schengen Area during the course of a journey
from a third State to another third State. This can
only be granted if the alien has guaranteed access to
the State of final destination, and if transit is
deemed reasonably necessary through the territory of
one of the contracting parties

meeting the minimum eligibility for the issue of a
short term tourist visa; an entry visa for the country
of final destination

Transport (Schengen)

this permits aliens intending to go to Italy for a
short period or periods to perform a professional
activity or trade connected with the transport of goods
or passengers, overland or by air (lorry drivers,
charter flight or private aircraft crews);

documentation attesting to the professional
qualification of the applicant; documentation relating
to the activities to be performed during the stay for
which the visa is requested

Turism (Schengen)

permits aliens intending to enter Italy and other
Schengen Area countries for a short period for tourism
purposes;

adequate means of subsistence (credit cards, bank
guarantees, insurance policies, etc.) which shall not
be less than the amount required by law; return tickets
(or booking); documented availability of accommodation
(hotel reservation, statement of hospitality, etc.);
invitation letter signed by an Italian or a legally
resident foreign national in Italy offering the
applicant accommodation in Italy

Working holiday visa (National)

permits entry for a long stay to aliens from
countries with which Italy has concluded specific
agreements in this area

the eligibility criteria and conditions for
obtaining the visa depend upon the provisions of the
specific international agreements governing it